NEWS
Sunset area man jailed in bank robbery attempt
By BARBARA GREEN
editor@bowienewsonline.com
A 63-year-old Sunset area man was arrested Friday morning after he reportedly attempted to rob Wellington State Bank in Bowie.
Randall Baird Bryant was arrested on a complaint of aggravated robbery. Bowie Police Chief Guy Green said Friday afternoon the investigation is continuing and the charges could change.
Around 9:09 a.m. a silent panic alarm went off at Wellington Bank, 1301 State Highway 59N and police officers went to the bank. On arrival, they found people were outside waving and telling the cops the suspect got in a white Ford pickup and went south on Hwy. 59.
“We started saturating the area with law officers, then a bank employee said they saw him on Hwy. 59 again. While city police were processing the scene at the bank, sheriff’s deputies came in to help and they saw a similar vehicle on Lover’s Lane. They watched him drive into the Sanger Bank lot just across from Wellington and get out going toward the front door. The deputies approached him and he got back in his truck driving off. Officers were able to stop him at the city limits in the area of Hwy. 59 and Mill,” explained the chief.
Green continued that three deputies and police got him stopped and gunpoint and took him into custody. They retrieved the weapon from his waistband as he gave up. He noted it is unusual for a suspect to come back and remain in the same area of an offense.
Bank witnesses told police the suspect came into the bank and told them he was there to “rob this “f-ing” place.
“The staff did not really respond which lead him to walk around a bit picking up someone’s purse saying something like he would take this if they would not respond. He also raised up his hoodie and showed them the gun in his waistband. A customer came in the door, which appears to have spooked him, so he grabbed the bag he brought in and left,” said Green.
The chief added thanks to the cooperation between the PD and sheriff’s office they were able to bring in this suspect without incident, and he appreciated their assistance.
Bryant was being interviewed at the Bowie Police Department and expected to be transferred to county jail later in day.
Top Photo – Law officers walk the bank robbery suspect, Randall Bryant, after he was apprehended by police and sheriff’s deputies. (photo by Brent Shaw)
Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8558 hosted ceremonies for Memorial Day on Monday in Nocona. A rifle team presented a salute and there was a cannon demonstration.
The 2026 swim season is ready to open on June 1 at the City of Bowie pool and the summer fun continues through Aug. 1.
Free Splash day is 1 to 6 p.m. on June 1.
Pool admission is $3. Hours are 1 to 6 p.m., Monday-Friday and 1 to 6 p.m. on Saturday.
A pool pass is $60 for a city resident and $70 for a non-resident. A family pool pass is $115 for up to three people and $5 for each additional member.
Water aerobics begins June 8, Monday-Thursday 6 to 7 p.m. Cost is $2.
Swim lessons will be two sessions in July: July 6-10 and July 13-17, 10:30 to 11 a.m. and 11 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Cost is $30 per person ages three and up. Call the pool office at 872-1068 to register.
Ice chests are allowed but no glass containers. Floaties are allowed, but not in the deep end. No alcohol allowed. The city pool is located at 1601 E. Wise Street.
Summer recreation
The free Summer recreation program is open to kids kindergarten through age 15 is 8:30 a.m. to noon on June 8-July 3.
Permission slips must be filled out the first day. There will be many activities throughout the month like softball, dodgeball, kickball, flag football, soccer, tennis, basketball, relay races, circle games, arts and crafts, music and swimming. The community center gym also will be used. Youngsters should not come just for swimming.
Children should wear tennis shoes only. Drop children at the pavilion behind the pool at 8:30 a.m. and pick them up at noon each day.
Once a child arrives he/she is not allowed to go to the store or home without prior permission. A child should bring something in which to keep money or personal items. There is a concession stand with drinks and snacks to purchase. Come cool off at the pool.
By BARBARA GREEN
editor@bowienewsonline.com
Montague County Commissioners met Tuesday for a brief post-holiday meeting.
The court had changed the date due to the Memorial Day holiday on May 25. During public comments, County Judge Kevin Benton said the county has gone through yet another Memorial Day where the county military memorial has still not been repaired.
“I can tell you I will do all I can to not let another Memorial Day pass without it,” said Benton.
The county veterans’ marker, that features names submitted for local veterans of all the nation’s wars, was damaged in March 2025.
Read the full story in the Thursday Bowie News.
Top photo – Shattered panels in March 2025. (Bowie News photos)
-
NEWS3 years agoSuspect indicted, jailed in Tia Hutson murder
-
NEWS4 years ago2 hurt, 1 jailed after shooting incident north of Nocona
-
NEWS3 years agoSO investigating possible murder/suicide
-
NEWS3 years agoWreck takes the life of BHS teen, 16
-
NEWS3 years agoMurder unsolved – 1 year later Tia Hutson’s family angry, frustrated with no arrest
-
Show us something good9 years agoCountry music star children perform in Bowie
-
NEWS3 years ago
Sheriff’s office called out to infant’s death
-
100th Birthday4 years agoLooking back at the 1958 Centennial edition of The Bowie News